sensor

sensor (ˈsɛnsə)
—n
	anything, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives a signal or stimulus and responds to it
[C19: from Latin sēnsus perceived, from sentīre to observe]

sensor

sensor sen·sor (sěn'sər, -sôr')
n.

1. A device, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus.

2. See sense organ.

sensor definition

hardware
An electronic device used to measure a physical quantity such as temperature, pressure or loudness and convert it into an electronic signal of some kind (e.g a voltage). Sensors are normally components of some larger electronic system such as a computer control and/or measurement system.
Analog sensors most often produce a voltage proportional to the measured quantity. The signal must be converted to digital form with a ADC before the CPU can process it.
Digital sensors most often use serial communication such as EIA-232 to return information directly to the controller or computer through a serial port.
(1997-04-15)